
14
LIFE OF CHRIST.
Christ, as did John. But as soon as Peter was told that the ap-
parent stranger was the Lord, his old-time enthusiasm seized
him. How like many of to-day, who do not of themselves discern
the Lord in His dealings toward them, but have to be told by
others that it is He, before they manifest any interest in the
Lord's presence!
3.
This question was to refresh Peter's mind regarding what he
had said on the night of the betrayal, that, although all the other
disciples should deny the Lord, he never would; that he loved
Hint enough to go to prison or to death with Him, even though
the other disciples should forsake Him. So the Lord reminds us
frequently, after our failures, of our boasted love, not by direct
reference to the boasts made, but by some other test which will
cause us to
r(flect
on the failures.
4.
Peter seemed to feel by the repetition of this question
that Jesus doubted his love, and that he was being placed
in a wrong light before his brethren. But the Lord was simply
trying to impress upon him a lesson of human weakness, and the
necessity of dependence upon divine strength in order to carry
out the trust about to be committed to him. As Peter had thrice
denied the Lord, after professing more love for the Lord than his
brethren possessed, so three times the grave question was asked,
"Lovest thou Me more than these ? " Oh, that we might learn
this important lesson before, by word or deed, we deny the Lord
once, even, in the presence of His enemies!
5.
This change is remarkable because it shows that Christ not
only distinguished between the older and younger members of
His body, but that He in this case called attention to the younger
ones first, indicating that they should find a prominent place in
the labors of those who work for the Master. It is also remark-
able that the word "feed," used in verses 16 and 17, conies from
two different originals. The one in verse 17 means to give pasture,
and the other conveys the sense of tending as a shepherd. Not
only then were the flock to be fed, but also tended, and cared for
in every need.
6.
So it is new; many take their eyes from their own work, to
watch the course of others, as though it were a part of their duty